Off the wire
• Israel announces rocket propulsion system test  • U.S. pop singer Demi Lovato performs in Cambodia  • China plans medicine price checks following market reform  • Weather forecast for major Chinese cities, regions -- May 5  • Feature: Nepal struggling to recover from devastating quake  • Weather forecast for world cities -- May 5  • Ukraine pledges tax system reform by autumn  • Int'l military exercise starts in Jordan  • Beijing, Seoul into last 16, defending champions Western Sydney out  • Soccer referee offered police protection in Cyprus  
You are here: 　 Home

Kerry makes impromptu visit to Mogadishu, pledging to increase presence

Xinhua, May 5, 2015 Adjust font size:

The United States will increase its footprint in Somalia to support efforts made by the Horn of Africa country, following a brutal civil war which ravaged the country for over two decades, U.S Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday.

In a brief impromptu visit to Mogadishu, Kerry hailed Somalia for its resilience and determination to forge a peaceful country after emerging from a difficult past.

"More than 20 years ago, the U.S. was forced to pull back from your country," said Kerry, adding that now the "country is turning around."

"Now we are returning in collaboration with the international community and bearing high hopes but also mixed with ongoing concerns," he added.

The U.S. top diplomat expressed optimism about Somalia noting that the next time he visits the country he will be able to walk down the streets, an indication of improved security situation in Somalia.

During his visit, Kerry held short discussions with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Prime Minister Abdirashid Ali Sharmake and civil society leaders where they discussed among other support for the Somali National Army and bolstering efforts on the fight against terror.

Kerry also thanked the troops contributing countries to the African Union backed force, AMISOM, which include Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia and Sierra Leone.

Kerry's visit is billed one of a kind in U.S.-Somalia history as it is the first visit by a top American official to the Horn of Africa nation.

President Barack Obama early this year appointed career diplomat Katherine S. Dhanani Ambassador to Somalia after over two decades of strained relations between the two countries following the tragic death of U.S. soldiers in the Black Hawk Operation in 1993.

State department said Washington will continue supporting the Somali National Army and the African Union backed force AMISOM in its efforts on fight against the militant group Al-Shabaab.

"We are already providing assistance to the Somali National Army, helping them and assisting them with training. And we have robust assistance to AMISOM and to the troop-contributing countries. So we will continue to look for ways to increase our support to the government," said the official.

The senior State Department also said once the U.S. embassy in Mogadishu is in fully operation, the U.S. will increase its presence in Somalia. At the moment the ambassador largely operates from Nairobi. Endi